Universal printed circuit card edge connector

ABSTRACT

A universal edge connector, preferably for use with printed circuit cards, including a plurality of contacts suitably retained in a patterned arrangement within a housing body formed of nonmetallic material, the housing body having provided on the wiring side thereof a rectangular boss comprising a first independent means for mounting the connector, at each end of the rectangular boss an elevated pad being provided, the two elevated pads combining to comprise a second independent means for mounting the connector, and the rectangular boss being further provided with at least two diametrically opposed standoffs positioned on the rectangular boss inwardly of the aforesaid two elevated pads to enable the connector to be mounted in a third independent manner.

United States Patent [72] inventor Glenwood A. Fuller Bloomington, [IL

[21] Appl. No. 868,033 [22] Filed Oct. 21, 1969 [45] Patented Dec.21,1971 [73] Assignee General Electric Company [54] UNIVERSAL PRINTEDCIRCUIT CARD EDGE CONNECTOR 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 339/126 [51] Int. Cl ..110lr13/46 [50] Field of Search339/17 L,

[56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,742,636 4/1956 Alden339/128 X 2,790,153 4/1957 Arson 339/184 2,863,131 12/1958 Carlzen et al339/275 X 3,109,689 11/1963 Cooney 339/126 X Primary Examiner-Richard E.Moore AttorneysArthur E. F oumier, Jr., David M. Schiller, Joseph B.Forman, Frank L. Neuhauser and Oscar B. Waddell ABSTRACT: A universaledge connector, preferably for use with printed circuit cards, includinga plurality of contacts suitably retained in a patterned arrangementwithin a housing body formed of nonmetallic material, the housing bodyhaving provided on the wiring side thereof a rectangular boss comprisinga first independent means for mounting the connector, at each end of therectangular boss an elevated pad being provided, the two elevated padscombining to comprise a second independent means for mounting theconnector, and the rectangular boss being further provided with at leasttwo diametrically opposed standoffs positioned on the rectangular bossinwardly of the aforesaid two elevated pads to enable the connector tobe mounted in a third independent manner.

UNIVERSAL PRINTED CIRCUIT CARD EDGE CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention My invention relates to electricalconnectors, and more par ticularly to an improvement in card edgeconnectors of the type having opposed cantilever-type contacts betweenwhich a printed circuit card is inserted.

2. Description of the Prior Art Card edge connectors for making anelectrical connection primarily with printed circuit cards have beenavailable in the prior art for some time now. The conventional practiceis to affix the connector to a suitable mounting member, theconstruction of which may differ from one application to another. Inaddition, the particular manner of affixing the connector to themounting member may also vary depending on the type of application towhich the connector is to be put as well as depending on the type ofmounting member selected as most desirable for use with that particularapplication of the connector. For example, the card edge connector maybe mounted in multiples into a metal back panel, or it may be mountedinto a printed circuit mother board. If a metal back panel constitutesthe mounting member, the connector may be affixed thereto by means of apress-fit, or the connector may be epoxied into the metal panel, or theconnector may be staked into the metal panel. Where the mounting memberis in the form of a printed circuit mother board, it is normallydesirable to affix the connector thereto with the body of the connectorbeing positioned in slightly spaced relation to the mating surface ofthe printed circuit mother board, suitable spacing means being providedon the connector to accomplish this result.

In order to be able to employ the aforesaid mounting options forpurposes of affixing the connector to a suitable mounting member, it hasheretofore been necessary to provide a plurality of models of card edgeconnectors, the models differing from each other primarily insofar asthe structural configuration of the body of the connector is concerned.This lack of flexibility in the mounting options offered by any givenmodel of prior art card edge connector has been recognized asconstituting a serious disadvantage with regard to the use of thisparticular type of connector.

It is first a disadvantage to the user who having purchased one model ofconnector for use in a specific application finds that his workrequirements having changed he is unable to put the connector to use ina new application because the individualized nature of the structuralconfiguration of the prior art connector inherently precludes suchdifferent alternative usages. Secondly, the need on the part of themanufacturer of such prior art card edge connectors to manufacture amultiplicity of models thereof inherently is undesirable because itprevents him from taking full advantage of the economies of massproduction. Finally, the need to stock a plurality of different modelconnectors adds to the cost of doing business on the part of thedistributor who must maintain an adequate inventory of each particularmodel connector and as such a larger inventory of parts than would beotherwise necessary if each connector were capable of functioning in aplurality of different applications.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide a novel and improved universal card edge connectorfor printed circuit cards which is capable of being affixed to a metalback anel. p It is another object of the present invention to providesuch a universal card edge connector for printed circuit cards whichalso has the capability of being affixed to a printed circuit motherboard.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a universalcard edge connector for printed circuit cards which can be press-fittedinto a metal back panel for purposes of affixing the connector thereto.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such auniversal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which can alsobe epoxied into a metal back panel for purposes of affixing theconnector thereto.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such auniversal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which can alsobe staked into a metal back panel for purposes of affixing the connectorthereto.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide such auniversal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which can alsobe mounted in slightly spaced relation to the mating surface of aprinted circuit mother board.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is to provide such auniversal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to mount, and universal inapplication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a preferred form of theinvention there is provided a universal card edge connector for printedcircuit cards which is capable of being mounted into either a metal backpanel or a printed circuit mother board and which includes a pluralityof opposed cantilever-type contacts suitably retained in a patternedarrangement within a housing body formed of nonmetallic material. Thehousing body is provided on the wiring side thereof with a substantiallyrectangular boss comprising a first independent means for mounting theconnector to a metal back panel by means of for example a press fit. Ateach end of the substantially rectangular boss there is provided anelevated pad. The two elevated pads combine to comprise a secondindependent means for mounting the connector to a metal back panel bymeans of staking. The substantially rectangular boss is further providedwith at least two diametrically opposed standoffs positioned on therectangular boss inwardly of the aforesaid two elevated pads to enablethe connector to be mounted in slightly spaced relation to a printedcircuit mother board whereby to comprise a third independent manner ofmounting the universal edge connector onto a suitable mounting member.

The invention will be more fully understood from the fol lowing detaileddescription and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of auniversal card edge connector in accordance with the present inventionand of a metal back panel and a voltage or ground plane into which theconnector is intended to be mounted;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 of a universal card edgeconnector in accordance with the present invention and of a printedcircuit mother board into which the connector is intended to be mounted;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a universal card edge connector inaccordance with the present invention mounted into a printed circuitmother board, the latter being illustrated in skeleton; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing body of a universal cardedge connector in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 of thedrawing, the invention as illustrated therein comprises a universal cardedge connector, generally designated by reference numeral 10, andincluding a substantially rectangular housing body 11 preferably made ofa suitable nonmetallic insulating material such as for exampleglass-filled nylon. The housing body 11 includes front and rearwalls 12and 13, respectively, and sidewalls I4, 15, I6, and 17, respectively.

Front wall I2 is provided with a relatively narrow slot 18 which extendssubstantially the length of the major axis of front wall 12 and which isapproximately centrally located such as to be substantiallyequidistantly spaced from the corresponding respective edge portions ofsidewalls Ml, 115, 1b, and 17. As can be seen best with reference tolFllG. 4! of the drawing, the slot 18 does not extend entirely throughthe housing body 11, i.e., to rearwall 13. In other words, the depth ofslot 18 is less than the depth of housing body 11 measured as thedistance between front wall 12 and rearwall 13.

Projecting from the slot 18 along each side of the major axis thereofand at substantially right angles thereto adjacent to the front surfaceof the top wall [2 are a plurality of openings 19 aligned in a pair ofrows and preferably each having a substantially T-shaped configuration.The openings 19 along one side of the slot 18 are preferably positionedsuch as to be substantially opposite a corresponding opening 19 alongthe other side of slot 18. In addition, in each row of openings 19,adjacent openings 19 are spaced relative to each other by a projectingportion 120 of front wall 12 which is interposed therebetween so as toeffectively divide the housing body 11 internally into a plurality ofsubstantially isolated compartments 20 corresponding in number to halfthe number of openings 19. That is, there are a total of sevencompartments 20 provided in the universal card edge connectorillustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Suitably retained in each T-shaped opening 19 in a manner well known tothose skilled in the art there is provided an electrical contact 21. inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawing, the electrical contacts 21 comprise cantilever-typecontacts each having a terminal portion projecting through the housingbody 11 and extending outwardly of rearwall 13 in a manner to be morefully described hereinafter. Thus, it will be readily understood that ineach compartment of the housing body 11 of universal card edge connector10 there are provided a pair of opposed, mutually nonengagingcantilever-type contacts 21. Accordingly, the universal card edgeconnector 10 illustrated in the drawing includes a total of 14 suchcantilever-type contacts 21 arranged in two parallel rows of seven each.The contacts 21 are formed of a suitable electrically conductivematerial such as for example beryllium copper which customarily isplated with a coating of suitable material. The aforedescribedprojecting portions 12a of front wall 12 serve to insulate adjacentcontacts 21 in each of the pair of rows thereof from each other.

in accord with the invention the housing body 11 is encompassing with aplurality of independent mounting means each for mounting the connector10 relative to a mounting member in a substantially different manner.Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawing, the rearwall 13 of housing body11 is provided with a first mounting means in the form of asubstantially rectangular upstanding boss 23. The circumferentialdimension of the rectangular boss 23 is less than that of the rearwall13. Accordingly, since the rectangular boss 23 is approximatelycentrally positioned on the rearwall 31, a flange portion 130 existsaround the outside of rectangular boss 23 in encompassing relationthereto for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. Two rowsof spaced openings 24 corresponding to the rows of T-shaped openings 19in front wall 12 are provided extending along the major axis ofrectangular boss 23 adjacent each side thereof. Each pair of opposingopenings 24 is in communication with one of the compartments 20associated with slot 18. The openings 24 are each intended to receivethe terminal portion 22 of a contact 21, one such terminal portion 22being illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 4 of the drawing.

At each of the opposite ends of the rectangular boss 23 there isprovided an elongated pad 25 comprising a second mounting means. Theelongated pads 25 are each elevated from the upper surface of therectangular boss 23 a very slight amount, and are each of a lesserlength than the width of the rectangular boss 23. The elongated pads 25are provided for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.inwardly of the elongated pads 25 on the rectangular boss 23 there areprovided four substantially cone-shaped projections or standoffs 26comprising a third mounting means. The standoffs 26 as best seen withreference to FIG. 1 of the drawing are preferably located between thefirst and second opening 24 at each end of the parallel rows of openings24. As depicted in the drawing, the standoffs 26 each extend outwardlyfrom the upper surface of rectangular boss 23 a substantially greaterdistance than do the elongated pads 25. in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the invention, the rectangular boss 23, the two elongatedpads 25, and the four standoffs 26 are all formed as an integral part ofthe housing body 11.

Turning now to a discussion of the manner of mounting the v universalcard edge connector 11) of the subject invention into a suitablemounting member, reference is had to FIG. 1 of the drawing wherein thereis illustrated a metal back panel 27 which constitutes one form ofmounting member with which the universal card edge connector 10 may beemployed. The metal back panel 27 is preferably made of either steel oraluminum, and is provided with a plurality of substantially rectangularopenings 28. Only a portion of the back panel 27 is illustrated in FIG.1 of the drawing, that shown being deemed sufficient for purposes ofdescribing the manner in which a plurality of universal card edgeconnectors 10 are intended to be affixed thereto.

The dimensions of each of the openings 28 correspond generally to thoseof the substantially rectangular boss 23 projecting from the rearwall 13of housing body 11. In one form, the dimensions of openings 28 areintentionally made slightly less than those of the rectangular bosses23. This is to enable the rectangular boss 23 of housing body 11 of onesuch univer sal card edge connector 10 to be press-fitted into one ofthe openings 28 for purposes of affixing the given universal card edgeconnector 10 to the metal back panel 27.

The spacing between adjacent openings 28 in metal back panel 27 ispurposely made such as to permit a universal card edge connector 10 tobe mounted into each opening 28 of metal back panel 27 should this bedesired. with the connector 111 mounted in opening 28, the rectangularboss 23 of housing body 11 thereof projects into the opening 28, and theflange portion 13a of rearwall 13 is in juxtaposed engagement with thesurface surrounding the opening 28 on the front side of metal back panel27. Further, the terminal portions 22 of contacts 21 extend outwardlyfrom the rear of metal back panel 27 and accordingly are accessible topermit electrical connections to be readily made thereto.

in accordance with another method of affixing the universal card edgeconnector 10 to the metal back panel 27, the dimensions of one or moreof the openings 28 may be made either intentionally or accidentallyslightly larger than those of the rectangular boss 23 of a givenconnector 10. Under these circumstances, the connector 10 is incapableof being pressfitted into an opening 28 having such dimensions. However,by utilizing the elongated pads 25 provided at each end of therectangular boss 23, the universal card edge connector 10 can be staked,preferably ultrasonically, into the desired opening 28. To accomplishthis staking operation, the rectangular boss 23 of housing body 11 isinserted into an opening 28 until the flange 13a of rearwall 13 is injuxtaposed engagement with the portion of the front side of metal backpanel 27 surrounding the given opening 28. Thereafter by suitable meansboth of the elongated pads 25 are ultrasonically deformed into contactwith the adjacent portion of the rear side of metal back panel 27 suchthat the universal card edge connector 10 becomes now staked to themetal back panel 27.

The universal card edge connector 10 further lends itself to beingepoxied into the metal back panel 27. That is, once the rectangular boss23 of the connector 10 has been loosely positioned in a slightlyoversized opening 28 of the metal back panel 27 in the manner previouslydescribed hereinabove, the corresponding engaging surfaces of thehousing body 11 of the connector 10 as well as those of the back panel27 may be provided with a coating of a suitable epoxy whereby theconnector 10 will be rendered sufficiently securely affixed to the backpanel 27. Thus, it can be readily seen that by virtue of permitting theemployment of such a variety of mounting options,

the card edge connector functions truly as a universal connector.

Referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is illustrated therein avoltage or grounding plane 29 which is most often found employed inassociation with a metal back panel 27. The voltage or grounding plane29 resembles somewhat the previously described metal back panel 27 inthat it also includes a plurality of openings whose dimensionscorrespond generally to those of a rectangular boss 23 of a universalcard edge connector 10. In addition however the voltage or groundingplane 29 has a small projection 31 extending inwardly into each opening30. Each of the small projections 31 is provided with a centrallylocated hole 32 having a diameter of sufficient size such that the hole32 is capable of receiving the terminal portion 22 of a given contact21. As its name suggests, the voltage or grounding plane 29 functions toprovide either a voltage connection or a grounding connection to a givencontact 21 of connector 10 through the terminal portion 22 of theaforesaid given contact 21. In some applications, a plurality of voltageplanes 29 are employed in which case the projections 31 bearing holes 32of each voltage plane 29 are offset relative to each other such that theterminal portions 22 of different contacts 21 will be received inprojections 31 of different planes 29. It is of course to be understoodthat the spacing between openings 30 of plane 29 is such as to permit aplurality of universal card edge connectors 10 to be simultaneouslymounted thereon.

For purposes of mounting a universal card edge connector 10 to a voltageor grounding plane 29 when the latter is employed in association with ametal back panel 27, the rectangular boss 23 of the connector 10 isfirst inserted into a given opening 28 of metal back panel 27 andpreferably suitably affixed therein in accordance with one of themethods previously described hereinabove. Thereafter, the terminalportion 22 of one contact 21 of universal card edge connector 10 isinserted into the hole 32 of projection 31 of plane 29, and the plane 29is brought into juxtaposed relation relative to the rear surface ofmetal back panel 27 whereupon the terminal portion 22 is customarilyflow soldered to the plane 29. The terminal portion 22 of the remainingcontacts 21 of the given connector 10 pass through the opening 30 ofplane 29 and thus are accessible to permit electrical connections to bereadily made thereto.

Another type of mounting member into which the universal card edgeconnector 10 may be mounted is illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing. Asillustrated therein, the mounting member comprises a printed circuitmother board 33 which is provided with a plurality of patterns of holes34. Each group of holes 34 is arranged in two rows of seven each withthe spacing between adjacent holes 34 in each row corresponding to thespacing between adjacent terminal portions 22 of the contacts 21 of theconnector 10 such that the terminal portions 22 may be inserted throughthe holes 34 so as to project outwardly from the rear side of theprinted circuit mother board 33 as best illustrated in FIG. 3 of thedrawing. The printed circuit mother board 33 may be formed of a singlelayer of suitable material as depicted in the drawing or it may bemultilayered, i.e., formed of a multitude of thin layers of suitablematerial laminated together.

In mounting the universal card edge connector 10 to the printed circuitmother board 33, the terminal portions 22 of contacts 21 of universalcard edge connector 10 are simultaneously inserted into one group ofholes 34 of the printed circuit mother board 33. The terminal portions22 are inserted in the aforedescribed manner until the four previouslydescribed standoffs 26 are in abutting relation to the front side ofprinted circuit mother board 33. The extent to which the standoffs 26space the rectangular boss 23 of connector 10 from the printed circuitmother board 33 is best seen with reference to FIG. 3 of the drawing.The purpose of providing the space permitted by the standoffs 26 isprimarily to facilitate cleaning after flow soldering the terminalportions 22 to the printed circuit mother board 33, and also to preventthe entrapment of gases, flux and moisture resulting from the solderoperation.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, thehousing body 11 of universal card edge connector 10 is provided with anotched portion 35 at the juncture of sidewalls 14 and 17. The notchedportion 35 functions as an indexing means to provide a means for readilyensuring that the universal card edge connector 10 is properly orientedbefore it is mounted into either the metal back panel 27 of FIG. 1 orthe printed circuit mother board 33 of FIG. 2.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention there has been provided auniversal card edge connector 10 for printed circuit cards which iscapable of being mounted into either a metal back panel 27 or a printedcircuit mother board 33. Further, the same universal card edge connectorwithout modification is capable of being affixed to a metal back panelby means of a press-fit, by being staked thereto, or by being epoxiedthereto, the choice being left up to the user. Moreover, the sameuniversal card edge connector when utilized with a printed circuitmother board has the inherent desirable capability of being mounted inslightly spaced relation thereto.

While only one embodiment of my invention has been shown, it will beappreciated that many modifications thereof may readily be made by thoseskilled in the art. For example if so desired, the rectangular boss 23and/or the elongated pads 25 and/or the four standoffs 26 may compriseindependent components suitably affixed to the housing body 11 ratherthan being integrally formed as part of the housing body 11 aspreviously described. Moreover, rather than utilizing four standoffs 26,a pair of diametrically opposed standoffs 26 could conceivably besubstituted in place thereof. 1 therefore intend by the appended claimsto cover the above modifications as well as all other modificationswhich fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

l. A universal card edge connector comprising:

a. a housing body including a front wall, a rearwall, and a plurality ofsidewalls;

b. said front wall of said housing body having an elongated slot thereinextending substantially the length of said front wall, said elongatedslot having a plurality of openings extending substantially at rightangles thereto along at least one side of said elongated slot;

c. a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in said housing body, oneof said plurality of electrical contacts being positioned within atleast some of said plurality of openings of said elongated slot;

cl. each of said plurality of electrical contacts including a terminalportion extending outwardly of said rearwall of said housing body forpurposes of permitting an electrical connection to be made thereto;

e. a first mounting means located on said rearwall of said housing bodyfor mounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member,said first mounting means comprising a substantially rectangular bossprojecting outwardly from said rearwall of said housing body;

f. a second mounting means independent of said first mounting means formounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, saidsecond mounting means being located on said substantially rectangularboss;

g. a third mounting means independent of said first mounting means andof said second mounting means for mounting said universal card edgeconnector in spaced relation to a mounting member, said third mountingmeans being located on said substantially rectangular boss; and

h. each of said first mounting means, said second mounting means, andsaid third mounting means comprising an independent means for mountingsaid universal card edge connector relative to a mounting member in asubstantially different manner.

2. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said housing body is substantially rectangular in shape and is formedof nonmetallic insulating material;

b. each of said plurality of electrical contacts comprises acantilever-type contact; and

c. an indexing means is formed on said housing body for use in orientingsaid universal card edge connector prior to the mounting thereof onto amounting member.

3. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim ll wherein:

a. said second mounting means comprises a pair of elongated pads formedintegrally with said first mounting means at either end thereof; and

b. each of said elongated pads is readily deformable to permit saiduniversal card edge connector to be staked into a mounting member.

4. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidthird mounting means comprises at least one pair of diametricallyopposed standoffs formed integrally with said first mounting means.

5. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said substantially rectangular boss comprising said first mountingmeans is formed integrally with said rearwall of said housing body; and

b. said substantially rectangular boss is of a lesser dimension thansaid rearwall of said housing body enabling said substantiallyrectangular boss and thereby said universal card edge connector to bepress-fitted into a mounting member.

6. A universal card edge connector comprising:

a. a housing body including a front wall, a rearwall, and a plurality ofsidewalls;

b. said housing body being substantially rectangular in shape and beingformed of nonmetallic insulating material;

c. said front wall of said housing body having an elongated slot thereinextending substantially the length of said front wall, said elongatedslot having a plurality of openings extending substantially at rightangles thereto along each side of said elongated slot;

d. a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in said housing body, oneof said plurality of electrical contacts being positioned within each ofsaid plurality of openings of said elongated slot;

. each of said plurality of electrical contacts comprising acantilever-type contact having a terminal portion extending outwardly ofsaid rearwall of said housing body for purposes of permitting anelectrical connection to be made thereto;

f. a first mounting means located on said rearwall of said housing bodyfor mounting said first universal card edge connector onto a mountingmember, said first mounting means comprising a substantially rectangularboss formed integrally with said rearwall of said housing body andprojecting outwardly therefrom;

g. a second mounting means independent of said first mounting means formounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, saidsecond mounting means being located on said substantially rectangularboss;

h. a third mounting means independent of said first mounting means andof said second mounting means for mounting said universal card edgeconnector in spaced relation to a mounting member, said third mountingmeans being located on said substantially rectangular boss; and

i. each of said first mounting means, said second mounting means, andsaid third mounting means comprising an independent means for mountingsaid universal card edge connector relative to a mounting member in asubstantially different manner.

7. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

a. said second mounting means comprises a pair of elongated pads formedintegrally with said substantially rectangular boss; and

b. each of said elongated pads is readily deformable to permit saiduniversal card edge connector to be staked into a mounting member.

8. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein saidthird mounting means comprises at least one pair of diametricallyopposed standoffs formed integrally with said substantially rectangularboss.

1. A universal card edge connector comprising: a. a housing bodyincluding a front wall, a rearwall, and a plurality of sidewalls; b.said front wall of said housing body having an elongated slot thereinextending substantially the length of said front wall, said elongatedslot having a plurality of openings extending substantially at rightangles thereto along at least one side of said elongated slot; c. aplurality of electrical contacts mounted in said housing body, one ofsaid plurality of electrical contacts being positioned within at leastsome of said plurality of openings of said elongated slot; d. each ofsaid plurality of electrical contacts including a terminal portionextending outwardly of said rearwall of said housing body for purposesof permitting an electrical connection to be made thereto; e. a firstmounting means located on said rearwall of said housing body formounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, saidfirst mounting means comprising a substantially rectangular bossprojecting outwardly from said rearwall of said housing body; f. asecond mounting means independent of said first mounting means formounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, saidsecond mounting means being located on said substantially rectangularboss; g. a third mounting means independent of said first mounting meansand of said second mounting means for mounting said universal card edgeconnector in spaced relation to a mounting member, said third mountingmeans being located on said substantially rectangular boss; and h. eachof said first mounting means, said second mounting means, and said thirdmounting means comprising an independent means for mounting saiduniversal card edge connector relative to a mounting member in asubstantially different manner.
 2. A universal card edge connector asset forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said housing body is substantiallyrectangular in shape and is formed of nonmetallic insulating material;b. each of said plurality of electrical contacts comprises acantilever-type contact; and c. an indexing means is formed on saidhousing body for use in orienting said universal card edge connectorprior to the mounting thereof onto a mounting member.
 3. A universalcard edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said secondmounting means comprises a pair of elongated pads formed integrally withsaid first mounting means at either end thereof; and b. each of saidelongated pads is readily deformable to permit said universal card edgeconnector to be staked into a mounting member.
 4. A universal card edgeconnector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third mounting meanscomprises at least one pair of diametrically opposed standoffs formedintegrally with said first mounting means.
 5. A universal card edgeconnector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said substantiallyrectangular boss comprising said first mounting means is formedintegrally with said rearwall of said housing body; and b. saidsubstantially rectangular boss is of a lesser dimension than saidrearwall of said housing body enabling said substantially rectangularboss and thereby said universal card edge connector to be press-fittedinto a mounting member.
 6. A universal card edge connector comprising:a. a housing body including a front wall, a rearwall, and a plurality ofsidewalls; b. said housing body being substantially rectangular in shapeand being formed of nonmetallic insulating material; c. said front wallof said housing body having an elongated slot therein extendingsubstantially the length of said fRont wall, said elongated slot havinga plurality of openings extending substantially at right angles theretoalong each side of said elongated slot; d. a plurality of electricalcontacts mounted in said housing body, one of said plurality ofelectrical contacts being positioned within each of said plurality ofopenings of said elongated slot; e. each of said plurality of electricalcontacts comprising a cantilever-type contact having a terminal portionextending outwardly of said rearwall of said housing body for purposesof permitting an electrical connection to be made thereto; f. a firstmounting means located on said rearwall of said housing body formounting said first universal card edge connector onto a mountingmember, said first mounting means comprising a substantially rectangularboss formed integrally with said rearwall of said housing body andprojecting outwardly therefrom; g. a second mounting means independentof said first mounting means for mounting said universal card edgeconnector onto a mounting member, said second mounting means beinglocated on said substantially rectangular boss; h. a third mountingmeans independent of said first mounting means and of said secondmounting means for mounting said universal card edge connector in spacedrelation to a mounting member, said third mounting means being locatedon said substantially rectangular boss; and i. each of said firstmounting means, said second mounting means, and said third mountingmeans comprising an independent means for mounting said universal cardedge connector relative to a mounting member in a substantiallydifferent manner.
 7. A universal card edge connector as set forth inclaim 6 wherein: a. said second mounting means comprises a pair ofelongated pads formed integrally with said substantially rectangularboss; and b. each of said elongated pads is readily deformable to permitsaid universal card edge connector to be staked into a mounting member.8. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein saidthird mounting means comprises at least one pair of diametricallyopposed standoffs formed integrally with said substantially rectangularboss.